A controversial 1999 court verdict that left an Adelaide organisation and its insurer facing a $31.25 million payout has been reduced on appeal. The SA Supreme Court set aside Justice Robin Millhouse’s finding that the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA was 30% responsible for the destruction in 1985 of a giant dinosaur robot that was accidentally set on fire, and reduced the damages payout to $10.25 million.

The Supreme Court judges unanimously found the contention that the robot would have earned its owner at least $100 million on the United States show circuit was unrealistic.